Protesters target NRA lobbyists

Alison Sullivan

Updated 9:24 pm, Thursday, April 25, 2013

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators march to the offices of several lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators march to the offices of several lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington,

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Crossroads Strategies, LLC, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Anti-gun violence demonstrators are prevented from entering the offices of Crossroads Strategies, LLC, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Nardyne Jefferies (L) is prevented by DC Metro Police from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during an anti-gun violence demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Nardyne's only child, Brishell Jones, 16, was eating pizza with a group of friends after attending the funeral of gun violence victim when men driving by in a passing car opened fire with an AK-47, killing Jones and two others in 2010. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Nardyne Jefferies (L) is prevented by DC Metro Police from entering the offices of Prime Policy Group, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during an

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: About 50 anti-gun violence demonstrators rally against the National Rifle Association during a protest in McPhearson Square April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: About 50 anti-gun violence demonstrators rally against the National Rifle Association during a protest in McPhearson Square April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Metro Police officers prevent anti-gun violence demonstrators from entering the offices of Crossroads Strategies, LLC, a lobbying group that represents the National Rifle Association, during a demonstration April 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. Angry with the U.S. Senate's failure to pass an expansion of background checks for people wanting to buy guns, the demonstrators attempted to deliver faux bank checks and crime scene photos to a handful of lobbying firms that represent the NRA. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Protesters hold placards during a demonstration calling for tighter gun control on April 25, 2013 in McPherson Square in Washington, DC. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is lobbying against gun reforms laws being debated in the US Congress. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Protesters hold placards during a demonstration calling for tighter gun control on April 25, 2013 in McPherson Square in Washington, DC. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is lobbying against gun reforms

Protesters hold placards during a demonstration calling for tighter gun control on April 25, 2013 in McPherson Square in Washington, DC. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is lobbying against gun reforms laws being debated in the US Congress. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Protesters hold placards during a demonstration calling for tighter gun control on April 25, 2013 in McPherson Square in Washington, DC. The National Rifle Association (NRA) is lobbying against gun reforms

WASHINGTON -- Although the Senate showed America where it stands on gun legislation last week, citizens took to the streets and sidewalks of Washington on Thursday to voice their displeasure with the vote that killed a push to expand background checks on guns.

"I'm personally offended," said Meagan Kelly, a Newtown resident. "The president said we'll do something about this and the Senate didn't follow through."

Occupy the NRA staged a protest to call out the National Rifle Association and lobbying firms with ties to the gun rights group for using big money to stonewall gun safety legislation. The group, which says it advocates for sensible gun safety laws, rallied supporters in McPherson Square, a small park near K Street.

Many gun safety advocates have framed an argument around the Dec. 14 shootings that killed 26 students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, pushing for more stringent background checks, bans on assault weapons and other gun-control measures.

Several speakers addressed the crowd, including Nardyne Jefferies, a Washington mother who became a gun safety advocate after her only daughter was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Charles McGarry, a former Stamford resident who stood among the crowd listening to Jefferies speak, said the NRA has a powerful grip on the political process and it's up to citizens to make a difference.

The protesters, somewhat unorganized and flanked by a small band of police on motorcycles, delivered letters to lobbying firms including Prime Policy Group, Crossroads Strategies, Denton's and others asking them to sever their ties with the pro-gun group.

None of the lobbying groups targeted by protesters returned phone calls made by Hearst Newspapers on Thursday.

The NRA and its affiliate groups are a huge political force, having spent $800,000 in lobbying efforts in this year's first quarter, according to the Center for Public Integrity. The NRA has maintained a strong campaign to fend off control measures and advocate for arming teachers following the Sandy Hook massacre.

Aaron Black, the protest's organizer, said the event is meant to shed light on the NRA's part in hindering progress for improving gun legislation.

"Guns aren't going to go away. We're not trying to get rid of guns," Black said. "We want to make sure people who have them use them safely."

Many heads turned as they walked by the scene. One passerby even shouted, "Long live the Second Amendment."

The protesters stood outside the lobbying firms' offices, but were not allowed inside.

"Unfortunately, I'm not surprised," said Kelly, who is friends with the daughter of a teacher killed at Sandy Hook. "They don't want to take responsibility for their role in this."